Qualcomm is best known for designing smartphone chips—and leaving the production to others. Now, the San Diego-based company is in talks to acquire chip manufacturer NXP Semiconductors in a shift that adds substantial risks.

Where others have focused on boosting energy storage capacity by changing battery chemistry, the Silicon Valley startup is betting on manufacturing techniques from makers of computer chips and solar cells.

VeriFone Systems Inc. issued a disappointing outlook for the current quarter Thursday as the payments-technology company’s revenue missed expectations for the three months ended July, sending shares lower.